Ah, it is finally, finally summer here—my very favorite time of year. We have been graced with hot days and warm evenings. The animals spend the mornings and evenings seeking out the cool breezes blowing through the barnyard. In the heat of the afternoons it’s totally still and quiet—save the sound of a hen singing her egg song, often with Napoleon chiming in his approval. The cows have returned to the field behind us, tails constantly swishing as they check us out.
This is my favorite baby.
But the best part is the NEW BABY CHICKS and the unusual behavior of their moms, Belle and Aretha! (Because nothing is normal around here 🙂 )
A little history… In the red coop, I have a communal nesting box—basically the size of three nesting boxes in a row with no dividers. The opening is in the middle. Hens hop up and can either take a left or right to a nice dark space to lay their eggs. When Belle and Aretha went broody at almost the same time, they chose to both reside in this “condo”. For three weeks they’ve been sitting on their eggs and staring at each other 24/7.
Sunday morning I found a loud, wet baby under Belle. I heard more cheeps from the other side of the box and discovered Aretha wasn’t going to be outdone—she had a just-hatched chick, too. Yippee!
Here’s where things get interesting. When I went back out to check on them a little later, Belle had scooted over right next to Aretha…and had both babies under her wings. A chickennapping had occurred! However, both moms were totally calm, gently clucking in reply to the cheeping babies.
I was uncertain what to do. Should I separate them? I know mama hens are usually very protective. I decided to put them in the nursery together but give them separate nesting boxes. After a flurry of cleaning and rearranging the nursery (which is only about 3′ x 4′) I was ready. I took Aretha and her baby first, putting them in the top box. Minutes later Belle and her chick were tucked into the bottom box. I left them alone to settle in.
A check-in an hour later proved they had a different plan.
We prefer being together. One box is all we need.
A few minutes later I guess they felt pity on me—I was squatting in that small space trying to keep my camera ready—and let the little ones out. The one on the left hatched out of a blue/green egg laid by Scarlett or Sarah. The one on the right is Belle’s baby.
Look at those two staring at each other! Look at their mamas staring at them!
This cutie has no fear. She’s already jumped right into my hands.
I’ve had a really busy week and it sure does make me smile to come home and see this happy foursome. The mamas seem to be totally comfortable with the co-parenting situation.
Oh lordy, the cuteness is off the charts!
I hope you’re enjoying your summer as much as I am 🙂
**Shared at Maple Hill Hop, (mis)Adventures Monday, Simple Saturdays, From The Farm and Our Simple Homestead**
Oh, lovely! Your posts are so wonderful. Whenever I see Chicken Mama in my inbox, I smile. My chickens always stuck to their family groups, but my ducks were a different matter. They were hippy ducks, I guess, and believed in communal living. The mamas, usually three at a time, herded their babies into one gang and took turns taking care of them. One especially wonderful mama, Whitehead, looked after 22 ducklings all on her own while the biological mamas roistered carelessly throughout the day. Enjoy summer!
Oh, I would love some duckies! Sounds like Whitehead deserved a Mama of the Year award 🙂
It looks like Mama(s) know best! A lovely happy post to keep me upbeat today – thank you!
I often times have silkies double up when brooding. My last double just hatched 4 eggs two weeks ago. Mamas are Blanka, a white silkie and Black fuzzy, a black silkie. The hatched two blue eggs and two black silkies.
Enjoy your babies, great pictures. Thanks for the smile today
LuCinda
I think silkies are so beautiful, and I hear they are the queens of being broody 🙂 Co-parenting seems to be a great idea, right? 🙂
I have actually had a 3 hen pile up in 1 nesting box while 2 others were empty! Go figure, maybe they’re best buds 🙂
That is so adorable. I guess two mums is better than one. I just love the photo of the chicks looking at each other while the two mums look down at them Too cute for words.
Carol Caldwell recently posted…The new girls first full day with us
They are so cute!!!!
Lucy recently posted…Death of a Flock….Lessons Learned
Love this post. Made my morning. I can’t wait to get more chicks in the spring. My one went broody just a little to late to get fertile eggs or chicks to put under her.
Maybe they’re starting their own commune? Love the shots you got! How wonderful that you can capture these dramatic moments on the farm.
Sorry, I don’t share your love of summer. It’s just too dang hot and humid here.
Thank you for stopping by The Maple Hill Hop! Always good to see you there.
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Well, loving a Colorado summer day is probably a lot easier than loving one in Florida! 🙂 I’m not a fan of humidity at all!